Early in the morning, Charles made his way to Stella's apartment, knocking on her door. Then he started fixing his hair, something he does not usually do.
The door opened, revealing Stella who is still rubbing her eyes. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were still a little puffed. He has seen this before.
"Good morning," he greeted.
"Why are you so early?" she asked back, opening the door wider while frowning at him.
"There was no time stated and we should get started as soon as possible. You have much to learn."
"Much to learn? What do you mean by that?"
"You didn't listen last night." He looked at her disapprovingly. "Let me remind you. I've got a list of the people you can never trust. It's an advantage to know what my family is all about."
"Ah, so this is like a test?" She nodded. "Oh right, give me the contract and I'll read it. Then I'll sign it and you can go."
"You don't quite get it, huh?" He stepped forward, shoving her aside as he enters her apartment uninvited.
"Hey I didn't--"
"I'm already inside," he cut her off. "It's a cute apartment," he added, looking around to find a chair where he can sit. "You don't get a chair?"
"You can sit on the floor, it's clean." She closed the door and went near the bed to get a folding table, carrying it to where Charles is. She unfolded the table in front of them and she sat down. "Sit down so we can discuss it more."
With no choice, Charles sighed, sitting down uncomfortably. This is the first time in a long time he sat down on the floor. The last time was when he had a business with some Japanese businessman. He hated being down on his knees.
"What else do I need to do? A makeover?" she asked him while rubbing her sleepy eyes again. "That would be too much lying."
"I'm not going to change how you look nor am I planning to change your wardrobe but..." He looks her in the eye. Yeah, he wanted her to change and lie to herself but lying further makes everything hard. "I have things for you to memorize."
"Oh, our love story!" She claps her hand together. "I like reading dramatic books, do you have a story read--"
Charles slammed down a pile of papers on the table which made her jaw drop with wide eyes. She looks at the thick pile of papers and up to him. Why is it so thick? How many relatives does he have?
"Are you serious?" she asked, frowning with a worried look on her face. "Why so many?"
Then a thinner pile of paper was added on the top by Charles. "On the top is the contract. Read it carefully and if you spot something not clicking to you, ask me."
Stella threw Charles a glare before snatching their contract. She flipped some pages and it did look exactly like him. Professional. After checking it out, she glances at him.
"Why are you still here? Come back later," she said, motioning her hand for him to go.
Charles could not help but scoff. No one has ever told him to go before, well at least not like he's a bird she's trying to shoo away.
"I'm staying until you're done," he uttered, twitching his upper lip.
"Suit yourself," she said, standing up and stretching in front of Charles. He saw that and he swore he wanted to pull her close. "I am going to buy breakfast so uhm, if you want to wait then wait."
"You don't make breakfast here?" he asks.
"Does it look like I have a kitchen? I only have a rice cooker."
"See? By agreeing to this contract, you can buy a simple electric stove and pans."
"I guess," she mumbles. Then she started walking towards her bed. She took out some worn t-shirt and money from her drawer.
"You're going out like that?" When she nodded, his brows were drawn together. "I'm coming with you then. I'll give you a ride that'll make it faster."
"Or you can just go home and come back for the contract later."
They glare at each other. The atmosphere got heavy just by them cursing in their minds.
"Fine! If you want to come along, then go ahead!"
Charles abruptly stand up and fixed his clothes. He is serious when he said he'd come with her.
At the food place, Charles stayed behind Stella guarding her back as she orders her food. There were a fair number of people, no one of his kind.
"Do you want something too?" Stella turned to ask him.
"No. I am good."
"Make that two, please."
"I said I do--"
"Not for you," she interrupted. He released a sharp breath at her savageness.
What else was he expecting? He told himself not to go overboard and do something he'd regret but he ended up doing it anyway.
"That would be 28," the counter lady said.
Stella was about to hand money to the lady when Charles handed his card first. She instantly threw him a dirty stare as the lady hands his card back.
"Thanks," he said, taking the paper bag which the lady handed. Then, he took her hand which made her throw another glare. He moved closer and whisper, "Some people know me here. I know you have not signed the contract but holding hands like this will make it believable once we announce it."
Stella did not have a choice and went with the flow. Remembering that they are a hot topic to people who know Charles, she could not look around anymore. Instead, she tightened the hold on his hand.
Ah yes, she now remembers the last one she wants. She wants all the news deleted and for the paparazzi to never pester her again. That's what she'll write on the last page.
On their walk home, Stella was like a koala hugging tightly on Charles' arm. It's just to make sure her face isn't seen.
"Told you we should have taken my car," he uttered, hiding a smile. He loves the fact that he agreed not to take his car. It didn't occur to him that his defeat would be this nice.
Back in the house, Stella immediately moved away from Charles like he is some kind of germs that she didn't want to touch again. It almost hurt his feelings.
"I'm eating and I'll sign it after."
Charles thought she'd eat her food somewhere else but instead, Stella put down the papers on the floor. Then she unpacked her food on the table, smiling widely.
"The other one is for you," she spoke. "It's not as expensive as your food but it's still food."
"If you insist then."
As he sits down, she took out his part and opened the box for him. There was something like fried rice in there, egg rolls, fried chicken and--
"What's that?"
"It's called lumpia," she replied. Stella took one of hers and took a bite. It was crunchy and she started munching. "It's good. You should try it."
Oh well, it's not bad to try it. As long as it is not poison. So, Charles reached for one and took a bite. It's really crunchy and the vegetables and ground meat inside were just perfect.
"Told you," she muttered. "Try it with rice."
And he did. It does taste better than what he has been eating lately. Is it the food or is it because he has someone to eat the food with. They say it's better to eat with company. It makes the food taste better.
When they were all done, Stella gave Charles a look as she just got back from throwing their trash. "You said you were good. You were hungry."
"Well, things happened," he coolly answered.
She snorted and sat down again, reaching the paper. There were a lot of things she tried to understand and some more she skipped. Her conditions were there and just as she said, it was printed on the paper.
"Okay. I've read it." She opened her palm towards him. "Pen. I'm sure you have your expensive pen ready."
The way she is amuses him. She's so unpredictable and bossy when she's just nobody. It makes him secretly smile.
Once she signed it, she handed it back to Charles. Then she took the other thick paper. "I just have one question."
"What is it?"
"When are we leaving?"
"If my calculations are correct, you'd be done reading those papers in two days. Because I am not sure, I'm giving you three days."
"T-Three days?! This thick is just three days?" Charles only nodded. Unbelievable! She groans. "I'm a slow reader! And I am not good at memorizing."
"Just focus on the love story. You'll meet the others anyway."
"Alright," she murmurs. Then she stood up and went to the door.
"You leaving somewhere?" he asked, raising his brows.
"Uh, no. You're leaving. I signed the contract." She turned her door handle and pulled the door open. She waved her hand. "See you in the next three days."
Charles didn't know if he should feel mistreated or laugh at her. The fact that she's pushing him away should let him know how she feels about this. Purely business.
"In a hurry to send me away, are we?"
"Yes, I am." Without any hesitation she points outside again, keeping a fake grin. "Please, leave."
He inhaled deeply and stood up, striding to the door. Before he go, he faced her again.
"I'm going to need your number and your bank account number." From somewhere in his clothes, he took out a small card. He handed it to her. "Text me here."
Stella took it. It was not a business card. It was his personal number that was in there.
"Okay," she uttered. "I'll see you in three days."
After Stella closed the door, she hurried to the bathroom, bending over her sink and started throwing up. She stayed like that for a couple of minutes.
When she felt better, she stood straight and wiped her mouth with her hands. She looks at herself in the mirror with teary eyes. Can she really keep it cool? What if Charles gets suspicious of her?
"I can do this," she tells herself, swallowing hard. "For my child. I can do this."
In a week, she will be in a different world, far away from home surrounded by people she does not know. She will have to think of this as a job.
Sitting down on her bed, Stella took her phone from the side table. She lifts up the card and started typing the numbers written there, adding it to her contacts and naming it Curse and nothing more.
Like Charles told her, she typed her bank account number and sent it to him. It didn't take a while and her bank notified her that some money was transferred to her. Her eyes went round to the amount transferred; 50,000 dollars.
With that money, she can even run away now. To hell, she can! He will probably track her down and do worse things. It made her sigh heavily.
While Stella was thinking about what she needed to bring, her phone started ringing. When she glanced at the screen it says, "Curse". She snatched her phone and pressed answer.
"Yeah?"
"Did you receive the money?" His voice was deeper than when they speak in person.
"Yeah, I did. Thanks."
"I'll give you the other half when the contract is over."
"Fine with me." She shrugs. In all honesty, that amount is really a big deal to her. "Is that all you want to say?"
"No. I want you to pack up and remind you about the story. You have to memorize all of it."
"Yeah, sure. I was about to pack. That all?"
She heard him release a heavy sigh. "Your phone. I'm buying you a new one. I need to see you when I make a call like this."
"Ha?" Her brows knitted together. How a choosy difficult person! "Do you really need to see who you're calling with every time you do business? Treat me different from them, mister Castigado!"
"Exactly!" Hearing that confused her even more that she stayed silent. "You signed the contract, my love. That means you're my girlfriend now. I want to see you during calls. I assume there's nothing wrong with that, right?"
Three days pass and Charles is really excited to see his girlfriend again. The past days he could only call her and each time Stella would hang up on him. Yep, that's all he is to her, annoyance.Today, he plans to exchange phones with her. It is also the perfect chance for him to upgrade her phone so he can see her during calls.Charles just parked at where he usually parks his car and went out. He leans against it, reached for his phone in his pocket and dialed Stella's number. It didn't take her long to pick up."Good morning, baby. You ready?""Ugh." He heard her groan. "I told you that I hate the endearments. Don't call me anything but my name!"He chuckled, gazing at her door. "Come outside when you're done. I am waiting for you.""Why are you so early?" she asked in an irritated voice.When he heard the door opening, the corners of his mouth immediately curved up. He raises his free arm and waved at Stella who had her forehead
"What took you damn long to answer?" She's surprised to see Charles on the screen. So, it's her nickname? "You look like you've seen a ghost.""Did you go through my phone?" she asked after snapping back. "Come home. We need to exchange phones now."Charles raised an eyebrow at her, slowly forming that evil smirk that made her frown. "Curse? Really? You nickname your boyfriend Curse?""Well you are one," she murmurs looking away for a second and back at him. "You didn't go through messages, right?""Should I go then? Hold up.""No!" she shouts. But Charles switched over to share his screen. Her hands immediately started shaking, eyes wide at her screen. "I swear I'm going to--" She stopped when she saw no doctor Akira's messages. So, she had really deleted them?"Erick? Who is this? Is this what you're afraid I'll see?"He opened their conversation and started scrolling. Stella didn't care if Charles read her and Erick's conversation.
In a private jet, the second grandson of the great Felius Castigado, Jason Zekiel Castigado boarded. He does not like the fact that half of his plan to ruin his cousin Charles didn’t go right.Vanessa, that little bitch. If she just did what they planned out, Charles’ issue would sure disseminate leaving Felius with no choice but remove Charles from the selection.At least it’s giving Charles a bit of a hard time. While Charles is tied to his issue, Jason has the freedom he has. It has always been like that.And as for that bitch Vanessa, Jason was kind enough to introduce her to a modeling agency. There should be someone who is willing to hire her with his name as a reference. If he needs Vanessa, he’ll just have to blackmail her. It’s easier now.The fact that he is about to go home again with his other cousins makes him plaster an evil grin. Them cousins
"Aish! That shitty guy!" Stella keeps muttering as she walks on the sidewalk.After she said she'll go on her own, Charles just told her to take care and now she's damn upset about it. He invites her out and leaves her hanging? What kind of man does that? He is a curse!She inhales deeply, breathing in the air of Deib. Forget about Charles! There is great scenery in front of her, lots of paths and wonders to take on. Charles is nothing! With a bright smile on her face, she explores the streets. There were signs and google to help her find spots.On the beach, the golden color of the sun reflected on the water to the shore. It's the scene she won't get tired of watching over and over again. The last time she saw it, she was letting go of someone. The sunset is beautiful, isn't it?Stella suddenly remembers about Doctor Akira. She took out her phone and dialed the doctor's number. It was a good thing she saved the number earlier."Yello
An hour. It takes an hour more and Stella will finally meet the Castigados in person. Well, last night before going to bed she researched them again. They were all big-time people and they look intimidating enough in photos.Stella can't help chewing on her lower lip as she looks outside through the window. With every passing moment, the time is running out. Her hands were sweating, it gets harder to breathe too. She doesn't know if she looks pleasing enough. She's nervous to the bones."You're hand is sweating," Charles told her."I'm sorry." She removed her hand from his and wipe it on her dress. "I'm terrified," she softly said.Charles took her hand again, pressing it which made her gaze up at him. He brought his hand close and kiss the back of her hand. Then he smiled at her."It's fine," he reassures her. "I'll be there with you, okay?"What he said doesn't entirely help her. It's not him that needs an introduction, it's her! The press
In Charles' quarter, Stella breathes in deeply. She has been holding her breath since earlier. They were so welcoming that she felt so good like she was a family member. But at the same time, she felt like it was too good to be real.The fact that she'll be meeting them again at dinner kills her. She hasn't even met the grandparents yet nor the girl cousins. She met his parents and others but they're being too nice.Stella threw herself in the bed, looking all worried at the plain ceiling that he has. Also, his room is big like the suite they stayed in at Deib. Charles' things were also organized and he has a balcony."You okay, baby?"She turns to where Charles is and saw him coming toward her. Then he sits beside her on the bed."If I say I'm not, can I go home?""Absolutely not, baby." He shortly chuckles. "We are home.""This is not my home," she said, rolling her eyes and looking at the ceiling again. "Your family is nice. And I
At the parking lot, Jason and Vanessa stayed in their car to talk. Jason wanted to know about Stella more and how he can make her come to his side."What about Stella?" Vanessa asked. "Did she ask you about me?""No, she didn't mention you nor does she seem to know me at all," he answers. Then he glances at Vanessa who kept her gaze in front. "Obviously this is your fault. And to tell you what's up, Charles introduced Stella as his girlfriend to the family."Vanessa's eyes grew large, staring at him. He could see that she wasn't expecting that news."Yes, it looks like they agreed on something.""But how? Stella would not!""You know her better than I do. I thought you should know the reason.""Stella must have been blackmailed! She's someone who doesn't accept help. She must've been threatened." Vanessa's voice was shaking. She's guilty of setting her up with him.Jason saw how Charles looks at Stella earlier. Someone like Cha
During dinner, Stella would have fallen out of place if it weren't for Jenkins who sat beside her. The others were talking about someone whom she never heard before. They were far from when she was introduced earlier. Now it feels like she's a ghost to them."You gotta get used to this," Jenkins told her. He was holding a fork lazily with meat pinned. "I can relate to you. I've no idea what and who they are talking about. Just laugh when they laugh."The last advice Jenkins said made her hide a laugh. Well, at least there was someone in the mansion she can vibe with."You're not a fan of your family's business, huh?" she whispers to Jenkins."No, not really," he whispers back. "Actually, my dream is to become a professional e-sport player. Quite unique when you're a Castigado.""I could understand the pressure.""I'm not pressured." Jenkins gave Stella a sweet smile. "I know I am going to be the heir. Jason and Charles, they're nowhere near